By: Gracyn Stroman, Student Reporter*

The Member States of Namibia and Botswana held a press conference to discuss their case within the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Botswana v. Namibia Kasikili/Sedudu Island 1999 looks at the intricacies which would determine the ownership of an island on all sides. Both groups  provided historical, legal and scientific reasons as to why the island may belong within their border. 

In a post-conference interview, Advocates Anna Roberts and Trevlan MacGregor “are grateful to the International Court of Justice for providing an impartial space to resolve this territorial dispute. We affirm our claim to Kasikili based on the historical usage of the island by indigenous tribes migrating and residing within the Zambezi Floodplain inside Namibia; however, we will respectfully accept any conclusion the court decides, even as Botswana unlawfully raised their flag over the island through military force, shortly after Namibian independence.” 

A statement from Representatives Henry Crutcher and Nico Benvuento of Botswana said, “We would like to thank the International Court of Justice and the international community once again for agreeing to hear our opinion on the ongoing border dispute. We hope that the court recognizes all the points layed out in our memorial and oral arguments to come to the conclusion that the Northern channel is the main channel according to the 1890 Anglo-German agreement. Furthermore, we hope that justice can finally be made by recognizing the findings of the 1984 Joint Report between Botswana and South Africa. This ruling was never accepted by our counterpart, and that is why we’re here today. We will accept any official ruling from the Court.”

_{*The views and opinions expressed in this article were part of a simulation of the United Nations held from 18 to 21 November 2023 and do not reflect the views and opinions of the American Model United Nations Conference, American Model United Nations International, LLC. or the governing bodies of the states mentioned in the article.}